By Anna Skinner
People may hear the pleasing notes of the Westfield High School band at football games or through the walls of the school, but what many don’t know is they need instruments.
At the high school level of band, in order to compete students must have an instrument. Some of these instruments can cost upwards of thousands of dollars.
With that in mind, the WHS band is hosting a carwash at Ameriana Bank at the corner of Ind. 32 and Carey Road on Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Music education and what it does for developing a child’s brain is irrefutable,” said Jeri Schantz, secretary of the Westfield Band Boosters. “The music program is important and we want to promote it.”
Mayor Andy Cook will be in attendance as well, holding the role of celebrity car washer. This is the band’s second year doing the event, and it is community wide. Some other businesses in the area will donate a percentage of their sales to the band.
YoGo Passion will donate 20 percent of their sales between 4 and 10 p.m. to aid the band on Aug. 22. Fifteen percent of Little Caesar’s sales will also benefit the band, from noon to 4 p.m.
Between the marching, concert and symphonic bands at the high school, there are approximately 200 kids who participate.
“Due to the continued growth in our community, Westfield Washington Schools and the WHS Bands’ Program, our instrument inventory hasn’t been able to keep pace. This has created a situation where some students are sharing instruments,” Mark Sands, band director, stated. “Among Westfield Bands’ needs are the new drum kits, marimbas and large brass and woodwind instruments. The Shamrock Pride Band Blast Car Wash is the only fundraiser dedicated to raising money for these purchases. To be competitive, the band must have full instrumentation. Please help our students get needed instruments.”
